PM Modi launches Saubhagya Yojana to ensure Power For All by March 2019

Under Saubhagya, the government plans to ensure electrification of all households in the country in rural as well as urban areas at a cost of Rs 16,320 crore with the central government providing a gross budgetary support of Rs 12,320 crore.Bilal Abdi | ETEnergyWorld | September 25, 2017, 19:25 IST

Under Saubhagya, the government plans to ensure electrification of all households in the country in rural as well as urban areas at a cost of Rs 16,320 crore with the central government providing a gross budgetary support of Rs 12,320 crore.

Under the scheme, states and union territories are expected to complete total electrification in their respective states by 31 March 2019. The scheme will be funded 60 per cent by the central government (85 per cent of special category states), 10 per cent by states (five per cent for special category states) and 31 per cent by loans through banks (10 per cent for special category states).

Also, the government plans to provide free electricity connections identified using Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data. Un-electrified households not covered under SECC data would also be provided electricity connections under the scheme on the payment of Rs 500 which will be recovered by DISCOMs in ten instalments through electricity bill.

The government also plans to provide solar power packs of 200 Watt peak – 300 Watt peak capacity with battery bank for un-electrified households located in remote and inaccessible areas and also provide five LED lights, one DC fan, one DC power plug as well as repair and maintenance for five years.

The government will provide additional grant of 50 per cent of loan component under the scheme if 100 per cent household electrification of all households is achieved by 31 December 2018.